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Olympus E-500 Comparison Review

The Olympus Evolt E-500 is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in September 2005 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 8 megapixel.

camera

Is the Olympus E-500 a good camera? The E-500 has a Camera Elo of 968. This rating puts the E-500 below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (Four Thirds cameras), the E-500 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Olympus E-500 is more than 18 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2005.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-500
Digital single lens reflex
Four Thirds lenses
8 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
no Video
ISO 100 - 400 (100 - 1 600)
Optical viewfinder
2.5 LCD, 215k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
2.5 shutter flaps per second
750 shots per battery charge
130 x 95 x 66 mm, 479 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Olympus E-500 vis-à-vis a credit card. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Olympus E-500 vs credit card front
E-500 versus credit card top view
E-500 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Olympus E-500 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-500 130 mm 95 mm 66 mm 479 g 750 n Sep 2005 599ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-450 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2009 499ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-620 130 mm 94 mm 60 mm 521 g 500 n Feb 2009 699ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 599ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-520 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 535 g 750 n May 2008 699ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-410 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Mar 2007 699ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-510 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 538 g 750 n Mar 2007 799ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-330 140 mm 87 mm 72 mm 637 g 750 n Jan 2006 999ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-400 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Sep 2006 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-300 147 mm 85 mm 64 mm 624 g 750 n Sep 2004 799ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic L10 135 mm 96 mm 78 mm 556 g 450 n Aug 2007 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Olympus E-500 was launched in the US market at a price of $599. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Olympus E-500 features a Four Thirds sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Olympus E-500 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Olympus E-500 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-500 Four Thirds 8.0 3264 2448none20.710.34551
2.
 
Olympus E-450 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.551256
3.
 
Olympus E-620 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.353655
4.
 
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.452756
5.
 
Olympus E-520 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.410.454855
6.
 
Olympus E-410 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.110.049451
7.
 
Olympus E-510 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.210.044252
8.
 
Olympus E-330 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.47352
9.
 
Olympus E-400 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.010.612753
10.
 
Olympus E-300 Four Thirds 8.0 3264 2448none20.410.1-4048
11.
 
Panasonic L10 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.310.842955
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the E-500 does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the E-500 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95% and a magnification of 0.45x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Olympus E-500 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-500optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
2.
 
Olympus E-450optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
3.
 
Olympus E-620optical n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Olympus E-420optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
5.
 
Olympus E-520optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y Y
6.
 
Olympus E-410optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Olympus E-510optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Olympus E-330optical n2.5 / 215 tilting n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Olympus E-400optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Olympus E-300optical n1.8 / 134 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
11.
 
Panasonic L10optical n2.5 / 207 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One convenient feature of the E-500 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus Evolt E-500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-500Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Olympus E-450Y- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Olympus E-620Y- / ----2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-420Y- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Olympus E-520Y- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Olympus E-410Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-510Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-330Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Olympus E-400Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Olympus E-300Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Panasonic L10Y- / ----2.0---
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Further information on the features and operation of the E-500 can be found in the free online Olympus E-500 Manual or on the Olympus support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the E-500. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-500..76/100..+ +.... Sep 2005 599ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-450........4/54/5 Mar 2009 499ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-6203/588/100..72/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2009 699ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-420..85/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2008 599ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-520..87/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 May 2008 699ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-410..86/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2007 699ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-510..89/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Mar 2007 799ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-330......+o.. Jan 2006 999ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-400..85/100....4/54/5 Sep 2006 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-300......+o4.5/5 Sep 2004 799ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic L10..85/100..+3.5/54/5 Aug 2007 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Olympus E-500 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the E-500.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Olympus E-500 based on?

The camera features a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Olympus E-500 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Olympus equipped the E-500 with the TruePic image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Olympus E-500?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 400.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Olympus Evolt E-500?

Olympus does not publish a shutter rating for the E-500. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Olympus E-500?

Olympus embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your E-500 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Olympus E-500 shutter count page.

Does the Olympus E-500 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Olympus E-500 for flash photography?

The E-500's flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Which battery does the Olympus E-500 use?

The camera gets its power from the BLM-1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Olympus E-500
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date September 2005
    Launch Price USD 599
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CCD
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 225 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 8 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3 264 x 2 448 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.30 μm
    Pixel Density 3.55 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 1 600 ISO
    Image Processor TruePic
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.45x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Size 2.5 inch
    LCD Resolution 215k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 2.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF or XD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type BLM-1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)750 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66 mm
    (5.1 x 3.7 x 2.6 in)
    Camera Weight 479 g (16.9 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

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